City officials estimated the renovations would cost $130,000, a figure Hoover said was the "best estimation at the time."

"You never truly know what the cost will be until bids come in," she said. "There are many different things that drive the cost of materials up or down."

City Council voted 6-1 this month to contract with Jackson-based 5 Leprechauns Construction for the project. Councilwoman Kimberly Jaquish, 2nd Ward, was the one dissenting vote.

Nearly $200,000 of the proposed costs will come from Community Development Block Grant funds, city officials said. The remainder will come from the capital project and city engineering funds.

At a meeting to discuss the park project last year, Jackson City Councilman Andrew Frounfelker, 5th Ward, said the renovations will bring Austin Blair Park "in line with other city parks."

"The park is a keystone to the surrounding neighborhoods and our downtown and needs to be refreshed and showcased," Frounfelker said. "Governor Blair was instrumental in keeping our state together during the Civil War, and in his honor this park will continue to bring community residents together."

Born in New York, the park's namesake served as Michigan's governor from 1861-65. He died in 1894 in Jackson. His statue sits in front of the State Capitol building in Lansing.